Captain Fantastic’s 12 Days of Christmas

Did you know there are only seven weekends until Christmas? That’s right, SEVEN! Seven weeks to do your Christmas shopping, wrap those presents and decorate the house. It also means seven weekends before Christmas to squeeze in as much festive family fun as possible. If you’re looking for things to do with the kids this Christmas time, we’re here to help. We’ve got twelve ideas and activities to help get you and the kids in the Christmas spirit.

Get out and about

There are so many Christmas events being held up and down the country. From the amazing Winter Wonderland in Hyde Park to Lapland UK there is so much choice when it comes to festive activities. The National Trust have Christmas events across the country, from Christmas Markets to Santa’s Grotto or check out local Facebook groups to see what’s on in your area.

Get crafting

Christmas is the perfect time for crafting. You can make anything from Christmas cards and wrap to gift tags and decorations. Why not try making some salt dough decorations. Not only will they look great on the tree but they’re also ideal gifts for grandparents. For more crafting inspiration check out the in store events at Hobbycraft.

Get baking

Nothing says Christmas more than the smell of festive bakes. From Christmas cake and pudding to Mince Pies and festive biscuits, there are plenty of opportunities to get baking at this time of year. Why not try your hand at some chocolate bark for a special Christmas treat that’s easy for even the youngest family members to help make.

Get active

Crisp winter days are pretty magical. Wrap up warm and head off for a walk in the local park or woods. Bring a bag and grab some greenery to make wreaths or pop in a vase for quick and simple Christmas decorations. Alternatively, ice skating is a great Christmas time activity. Head down to Somerset House for some fun and then warm up with a hot chocolate afterwards.

Get competitive

Enjoy a bit of friendly family rivalry this Christmas with a garland competition. Buy pre-cut paper chains or cut some Christmas wrapping paper into strips and race to see who can make the longest garland. Once you’ve finished you can hang them around your home.

Get decorating

It really does begin to look a lot like Christmas once the Christmas tree goes up. Put on some festive music and have a family sing-a-long while you decorate the house. Children will love helping to decorate and, if you’ve kept some of their handmade decorations form years gone by, it’s a wonderful opportunity to reminisce.

Get writing

Grab a piece of paper and a pen and write a letter to Santa. Encourage children to reflect on the past year; They could tell Santa about their proudest moment, maybe they learnt to ride a bike or have done well at school. Younger children could draw a picture or make a collage. You can post your letters to Santa via Royal Mail and if they are sent by 8th December you might just get a letter back. Be sure to include your child’s name and address!

Get giving

Encourage children to think about others at this time of year by donating to a charity or your local food bank. Whilst out doing your Christmas shopping, consider letting your child choose a small gift to donate to the Salvation Army’s Christmas Present Appeal. All gifts go to children who might not otherwise receive a present this Christmas.

Get reading

Whether it’s “The Night Before Christmas” or “The Christmasaurus” by Tom Fletcher, get reading this Christmas. You might have some favourite seasonal books to share with your children already. How about doing a book advent. Wrap a book for each day of advent for your child to open and read together.

Get cosy

Nothing beats coming in from the cold to a cosy house and a mug of hot chocolate. Keep it simple or add heaps of cream, marshmallows and chocolate sprinkles. You could even add some crushed candy canes for a festive twist. If you’re wanting to get extra cosy this winter, check out our Hygge advice.

Get watching

You know it’s almost Christmas when the Christmas movies start showing. There are even entire TV channels dedicated to Christmas films so you’ll have no trouble finding the perfect festive movie to watch. “It’s a Wonderful Life” is a favourite here at Captain Fantastic HQ.

Get together

Christmas is a time for family so get everyone together to celebrate this Christmas. Whether you keep it simple with a cup of tea and a present exchange or go all out and host the party of the year, being with friends and family will make Christmas feel special. Why not check out our Captain Fantastic Christmas Parties to entertain the kids (and adults!) this festive season.

We’d love to hear how your family get in the Christmas mood. Share your ideas with us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.